Job 39:26

KJV

¶ Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, [and] stretch her wings toward the south?

KJV (with Strong's)

Doth the hawk {H5322} fly {H82} by thy wisdom {H998}, and stretch {H6566} her wings {H3671} toward the south {H8486}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"Is it your wisdom that sets the hawk soaring, spreading its wings toward the south?

Berean Standard Bible

Does the hawk take flight by your understanding and spread his wings toward the south?

American Standard Version

Is it by thy wisdom that the hawk soareth, And stretcheth her wings toward the south?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 39:26 is a profound rhetorical question posed by God to Job, challenging the limits of human wisdom and control by referencing the innate, divinely orchestrated behavior of the hawk. As part of God's extensive discourse from the whirlwind, this verse underscores the Creator's absolute sovereignty, intricate knowledge, and meticulous design over the natural world, humbling Job and all humanity by demonstrating that even the instinctual flight and migration of a bird are beyond human comprehension or direction, serving as a testament to God's unparalleled wisdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 39:26 is situated within God's climactic response to Job, spanning chapters 38-41. After Job's prolonged lament and questioning of divine justice, God intervenes not with an explanation of suffering, but with a majestic display of His omnipotence and omniscience through creation. Beginning in [Job 38:1](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1 - God Answers Job from the Whirlwind"), God systematically confronts Job with a barrage of rhetorical questions concerning the natural world—its origins, its intricate workings, and the behavior of its creatures. Each question, including the one about the hawk, serves to highlight the vast chasm between God's infinite wisdom and Job's finite understanding, effectively dismantling Job's presumption to judge the Almighty. The examples move from cosmic phenomena (light, darkness, sea) to terrestrial wonders (snow, rain, ice) and then to the wild animals, culminating in the detailed descriptions of Behemoth and Leviathan. The hawk's flight is a specific, tangible example within this broader argument for divine sovereignty over all creation, demonstrating that even seemingly simple natural instincts are divinely programmed.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, birds of prey like the hawk were recognized for their swiftness, keen eyesight, and often, their migratory patterns. The "south" (Hebrew: _teiman_) in this context refers to the warmer regions, indicating the instinctual migration of birds during colder seasons. This phenomenon would have been a well-observed aspect of the natural world, yet its underlying mechanism remained a mystery to human observers. The question "Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom?" directly challenges the anthropocentric view of knowledge and control. Unlike domesticated animals, wild creatures like the hawk were seen as truly free and untamed, making their predictable yet inexplicable behaviors even more awe-inspiring and indicative of a higher ordering power. The ancient world, while observing nature, lacked the scientific understanding of migration, making the hawk's journey a prime example of a phenomenon that could only be attributed to divine wisdom.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it profoundly illustrates **Divine Wisdom and Omniscience**. The hawk's innate ability to fly and migrate "toward the south" is presented as a direct manifestation of God's intricate design and meticulous oversight, demonstrating that His wisdom permeates every detail of creation, from the grandest cosmic structures to the smallest creature's instinct. Secondly, it emphasizes **Human Limitation and Humility**. God’s rhetorical question forces Job, and by extension, all humanity, to acknowledge the severe limits of human understanding and control. We cannot command the hawk, nor do we fully grasp the mechanisms of its instinctual journey, reinforcing the need for humility before the Creator, a theme echoed in [Proverbs 3:5-7](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-7 - Trust in the Lord"). Thirdly, the verse highlights **God's Sovereignty Over Creation**. The hawk's flight is not random or self-directed; it is guided by divine purpose and instinct. This underscores God’s absolute dominion not only over humanity's affairs but over every aspect of His creation, reinforcing that He is the ultimate director and sustainer of all things, as seen in [Psalm 104](/psalms/104 "Psalm 104 - The Lord's Care for Creation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hawk (Hebrew, _nets'_):** The Hebrew word נֵץ (transliterated _nets_) specifically refers to a hawk or falcon, a bird of prey known for its swift, powerful flight, sharp vision, and predatory nature. In biblical literature, birds of prey often symbolize strength, speed, and sometimes, divine judgment or swift action. Here, the hawk's natural, instinctual behavior—its flight and migration—is presented as a phenomenon entirely outside human control or understanding, serving as a powerful example of God's sovereign design over the animal kingdom.
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _binah'_):** The Hebrew word בִּינָה (transliterated _binah_) denotes "understanding," "discernment," or "insight." It refers to the ability to comprehend and interpret. God's question, "Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom?" is a direct challenge to Job's (and humanity's) capacity for such understanding. It implies that the intricate, instinctual processes governing the hawk's flight and migration are far beyond human intellectual grasp or direction, belonging solely to God's infinite wisdom.
* **South (Hebrew, _teiman'_):** The Hebrew word תֵּימָן (transliterated _teiman_) literally means "south" or "southward." It refers to the direction of the hawk's migratory journey, typically to warmer climates during winter months. This specific detail grounds the rhetorical question in a recognizable natural phenomenon, emphasizing that even the seemingly simple act of a bird moving from one place to another for survival is part of a complex, divinely programmed instinct, not a result of human intervention or knowledge.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom":** This opening clause presents a direct, challenging rhetorical question to Job. It asks whether Job, with all his human wisdom and understanding, is the one who imparts the hawk its ability to fly, or directs its flight path. The implied answer is a resounding "no," immediately establishing the vast disparity between human knowledge and divine omnipotence. It highlights that the very essence of the hawk's being and its fundamental actions are not a product of human design or instruction.
* **"and stretch her wings toward the south?":** This second clause specifies a particular, observable behavior of the hawk: its migratory journey southward. This instinctual, seasonal movement is complex and purposeful, yet entirely autonomous from human command. The question further emphasizes that not only the ability to fly, but also the innate knowledge of direction and purpose in migration, is divinely endowed. It points to a deep, inherent programming within creation that operates independently of human will or comprehension, solely under God's superintendence.

#### Literary Devices
Job 39:26 primarily employs a **Rhetorical Question**, a powerful literary device where a question is asked not to elicit an answer, but to make a point or create a dramatic effect. By asking Job if the hawk flies by *his* wisdom, God underscores the obvious truth that it does not, thereby highlighting His own unparalleled wisdom and sovereignty. This device serves to humble Job by exposing the limits of his knowledge and control compared to the Creator. Additionally, the verse uses vivid **Imagery** by evoking the majestic flight of the hawk and its purposeful journey southward. This imagery makes God's argument tangible and relatable, drawing on a common observation from the natural world to illustrate a profound theological truth about divine providence and the intricate order of creation. The hawk serves as a **Symbol** of wild, untamable nature, whose very existence and behavior are a testament to a wisdom far surpassing human capacity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 39:26 is a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty and the profound limitations of human understanding. It asserts that the intricate order and instinctual behaviors observed in creation are not random occurrences or products of human design, but rather direct manifestations of divine wisdom and command. This truth humbles humanity, reminding us that our knowledge is finite and our control over the natural world is negligible. Just as God meticulously guides the hawk's migratory path, so too does He orchestrate the vast complexities of the cosmos and the details of human life, often in ways that are beyond our full comprehension. This verse invites us to cultivate a posture of humility and awe before the Creator, recognizing that His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts deeper than our thoughts.

* [Psalm 104:24](/psalms/104-24 "Psalm 104:24 - God's Wisdom in Creation"): "O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches."
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts Higher Than Ours"): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
* [Matthew 6:26](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - Birds of the Air"): "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 39:26 serves as a profound reminder that much of life, even the seemingly simple or routine, operates beyond our full comprehension or control. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep sense of humility, recognizing that our knowledge and power are profoundly limited compared to God’s infinite wisdom and omnipotence. In a world that often prizes human ingenuity and self-sufficiency, this passage calls us to a posture of awe and dependence. Just as God guides the hawk in its intricate migratory flight, He also orchestrates the larger plan of our lives and the world, often through unseen hands and mysterious ways. This understanding can bring immense peace in situations we cannot control or fully comprehend, fostering a trust in His unseen hand and perfect timing, even when circumstances are challenging or mysterious, much like Job experienced. It also invites us to marvel at the intricate beauty and order of the natural world, seeing it as a constant testimony to God’s wisdom, glory, and meticulous care for His creation, prompting us to worship the One who holds all things together.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own wisdom rather than trusting in God's sovereign plan?**
* **How does reflecting on the intricate design of creation, like the hawk's flight, deepen your sense of awe and humility before God?**
* **What specific anxieties or uncertainties can you surrender to God, trusting that He is orchestrating even the details you cannot see or control, just as He guides the hawk?**

### FAQ
**Why does God use examples from nature, like the hawk, to respond to Job?**

Answer: God uses examples from nature, such as the hawk, throughout [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Response to Job") to demonstrate His unparalleled wisdom, power, and sovereignty over all creation. These examples are tangible, observable phenomena that Job (and humanity) could see but not control or fully comprehend. By pointing to the intricate design and instinctual behaviors of creatures like the hawk, God highlights the vast chasm between His infinite knowledge and human limitations. He is essentially asking, "If you cannot even explain or direct the flight of a bird, how can you presume to understand or question My governance of the universe or My justice?" This approach humbles Job by revealing that the very world he inhabits operates by divine wisdom far beyond his grasp, thus shifting Job's focus from his suffering to the majesty of his Creator. It underscores that God's ways are inscrutable and His purposes are beyond human scrutiny, as expressed in [Romans 11:33-36](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33-36 - The Depths of God's Wisdom").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 39:26 speaks of God's wisdom in creation, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning are found in Jesus Christ. The divine wisdom that orchestrates the hawk's flight and guides its migration is perfectly embodied in the Son of God. [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, the Creator and Sustainer") declares that "by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible... all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." Thus, the very wisdom that programmed the hawk's instinctual journey is Christ's wisdom. He is the active agent of creation and the sustainer of all things, upholding the universe by the word of His power ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")). Furthermore, the humility demanded of Job in the face of God's incomprehensible wisdom finds its ultimate expression in Christ, who, though God, humbled Himself to become human ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility")). He is the "wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Wisdom of God")), through whom we can begin to grasp the mysteries of God's creation and providence, not through our own limited understanding, but through faith in Him. The untamed hawk, flying by divine wisdom, foreshadows the untamable wisdom and power of Christ, who sovereignly directs all things for His glory and our good.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.